Fluid lift mechanism and underground housing

ABSTRACT

A pre-molded electrical insulating housing for receiving an underground metal portion of a fluid operated expansible chamber lift mechanism to protect the mechanism from corrosion. The housing includes means for protecting the associated piping effecting operation of the lift mechanism and the lift movement guiding assembly.

United States Patent 1191 Bishop 1 1 Jan. 29, 1974 [5 FLUID LIFTMECHANISM AND 3,507,120 4/1970 Rohmer 61/.5 UNDERGROUND HOUSING3,203,396 8/1965 Carmichael 52/170 3,403,520 10/1968 Goodman 52/170Inventor: Billy p, 1111 S. Post a 3,207,046 9/1965 McAlpine 92/77Houston, Tex. 77027 a Prima Examiner-Charles J. M hre A .31, 1971 Y [22]plld ug Assistant Examiner-R1 H. Lazarus [21 Appl. No.: 176,480Attorney, Agent, or Firm Pravel, Wilson & Matthews 52 us. 01. 92/77 1571ABSTRACT [51 J Int. Cl. F01b 29/00 A ti -m l tr insulat ng housing forreceiv- [58] Field of Search 92/1, 77; 61/5; 52/170; ing an undergroundmetal Portion of a fluid Operated 174/17 LP, 37, 17 R expansible chamberlift mechanism to protect the mechanism from corrosion. The housingincludes [56] References Cited means for protecting the associatedpiping effecting UNITED STATES PATENTS operation of the lift mechanismand the lift movement 3,644,858 2/1972 Galloway 174 17 LF gudmg assembly3,465,527 9/1969 Rohmer 61/5 8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 291974 SHEET 1 OF 2 1 lllllllllllll SHEET 2 BF 2 vPATENTEDJAM291914 FLUIDLIFT MECHANISM AND UNDERGROUND HOUSING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling corrosion ofan underground metal portion of a fluid operated lift mechanism.

Hydraulic lifts have been widely employed in numcr ous services for manyyears. One of the most common uses was in elevating an automobile tofacilitate the performance of maintenance work on the. automobile. Whenemployed in this manner, a portion of the lift was positioned in theground where it was subject to eventual damage and destruction fromcorrosion. The frequent washdowns of the automobile repair bay providedthe necessary moisture to effect a galvanic cell for corroding of theunderground portions of the lift. To provide temporary corrosionprotection to the lift, the casing was either coated by being wrappedand doped or a sacrificial anode was employed to protect the cathodiclift mechanism. When the lift was wrapped and doped any opening orholiday in the coating tended to concentrate the metal loss whichaccelerated the damaging effect of the corrosion on the lift. Thesacrificial anodes were often not replaced after they were consumedwhich left the lift without any protection. If the sacrificial anodeswere employed with a rectifier to insure the proper direction ofelectrical current flow, the lift protection system was costly tooperate and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aside view, in section, of one form of the corrosion control apparatus ofthe present invention having one form of a lift mechanism positionedtherein;

FIG. .2 is a perspective view of the form of the corrosion controlapparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views taken along lines 33 and 44, respectively, ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view, in section, of a second form of the corrosioncontrol apparatus of the present invention having a second form of alift mechanism positioned therein; 4

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the form of the corrosion controlapparatus illustrated in FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views taken along lines 77 and 8-8, respectively, ofFIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Attention is directed to theFIGS. where the corrosion control apparatus of the present invention isillustrated. The corrosion control apparatus, designated A, is used toprotect an underground portion of a hydraulie lift mechanism L used toelevate a load with a piston rod R from the destructive effects ofcorrosion. Both semi-hydraulic (FIG. 1) and full hydraulic (FIG. 5)single post lifts L may be protected with the present invention.

The corrosion control apparatus A includes a premolded housing H forreceiving at least a portion of the lift mechanism L. The housing Hincludes a side wall 10 having an open upper end ll and a bottom wall 12closing the lower end of the housing H. The side wall 10 and the bottomwall 12 form a recess 13 in the housing H for receiving and containingthe lift mechanism L. The lift mechanism L includes a casing orcylindrical member C having a lower annular shoulder surface B adaptedto engage the lower wall 12 for supporting the casing C in the recess 13of the housing 10. The movable piston rod R extends upwardly from thecylinder C.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing H includes a preformed outwardlyprojecting longitudinally extending ridge-like portion 14 which extendsfrom the open upper end 1 l to a location below the bottom wall 12 toprovide a passageway alongside the cylinder C for an operating fluidconduit or pipe P connected to the lower annular shoulder B of thecylinder C. The pipe P has an insulated fitting I therein forelectrically insulating the pipe P to prevent transmission of corrosioninducing electrical current through the pipe P to the casing C.

The housing 10 includes a pair of preformed outwardly projectingridge-like portions 15 extending downwardly a short distance from theopen upper end 11. The enlarged recess 13 adjacent the ridge portion 15provide movement enabling clearance to thehousing H about the heads of apair of threaded members (not illustrated) extending inwardly into thecasing C to provide an upper movement limit stop to the piston P of thelift mechanism L.

The housing H includes a preformed outwardly projecting portion 16 whichextends downwardly from the open upper end 11 to a location above thelower wall 12. The enlargement of the recess 13 provided by the portion16 enables a lift movement guiding antirotationdevice M having a gravityoperated lift lock to be positioned within the recess 13 of the housingH.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 the full hydraulic embodiment of the liftmechanism L has the operating fluid pipe P connected to the'upperportion of the casing C. This difference eliminates the need for thepipe passageway ridge 14 resulting in a simplified second embodiment ofthe corrosion control apparatus A. Like reference characters are used toidentify corresponding portions present in both embodiments of thecorrosion control housing H. The self-standing housing H is formed froman elec trical non-conducting material to electrically insulate theunderground portion of the lift mechanism positioned in the recess 13.Preferably, the sleeve 10 is preformed from a polyester resin plasticmaterial such as polyvinyl acetate or methyl methacrylate, preferablyhaving fiberglass reinforcing to strengthen the housing H. A polyesterresin rich gel coat on the exterior of the housing H enhances theresistance to moisture penetration of the housing H to provide a spacedwater barrier about the cylinder C. Adequate structural strength, waterproofing and the desired electrical insulating properties have beenachieved by forming the walls 10 and 12 from a one-eighth-inch thicknessof the polyester resin with a 1 mil thick gel coat.

The corrosion control apparatus A includes a seal means 17 to effect anannular seal between the housing H and the lift mechanism L adjacent theopen upper end 11. The seal means 17 blocks passage of moisture into therecess 13 below the effected seal as well as forming a chamber in thebore 11 below the seal 17 for confining the underground portions of thelift mechanism L therein. By filling the recess 13 with a corrosioninhibiting fluid, such as oil, leakage of fluid past the seal means 17into the bore 11 will be prevented.

In the use and operation of the present invention, a suitable excavationto receive the preformed housing and the cylinder C of thelift mechanismL is dug. If the semi-hydraulic lift mechanism L, illustrated in FIG. 1,is to be installed, the piping P to extend alongside the cylinder C inthe portion 14 to the insulating fitting I is then connected to thecylinder C.

The cylinder C of the lift mechanism L is then wiped clean from dirt orrust and a light coat of oil is applied to the exterior of the cylinderC. The cylinder C is then aligned with the recess 13 and the housing Hplaced over the cylinder C by inserting the cylinder C into the recess13 until the lower shoulder B engages the bottom .wall 12 of the housingH. The housing H and the casing C are then placed in the excavated holewith the lift mechanism L in the normal operating position. A smallamount of concrete D is carefully poured around the exterior of thehousing 10 to be worked under the bottom wall 12 of the housing 10 forsupporting the housing 10 and the lift mechanism '1... The concrete D isallowed to set up before back filling the excavation with clean, drysand E for providing lateral support to the housing H and the liftmechanism L. i

The recess 13 is then filled with oil to eliminate any moisture fromforming inside the housing H where it would come in contact with thelift mechanism L. The annular area between the cylinder C, the movementdevice M and the housing H adjacent the open upper end 11 is then sealedat 17 by asuitable braided packing material. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the seal 17 is also effected with the piping Pin the semi-hydraulicembodiment of the lift mechanism L. The pipe P above the seal 17extending to the insulatedfitting l is wrapped or coated to protect thepipe P from moisture and block formation of a galvanic cell which wouldcorrode the pipe P or the casing C. The seal 17 forms an enclosedchamber 18 which confines the underground portions is then coated with acorrosion resistant material such as wrapping with a plastic tape. Thiswrapping not only protects the lift mechanism L from corrosion but alsoprevents adherence of a poured concrete floor F to the upper portions ofthe cylinder C. Preferably, the thickness of the concrete floor F issufficient to extend from a position adjacent the upper edge of thecylinder C to a position below the seal 17 and the open upper end 11 ofthe housing H. The remainder of the installation of the lift mechanism Lis then completed in the normal manner.

It will be immediately appreciated that the ease of installation of theprotective housing H as well as the superior permanent protectionafforded to the lift mechanism make the present invention extremelydesirable. While two embodiments of the housing 10 are illustrated, manydifferent shapes may be preformed for different conditions and differentshaped lift mechanisms L.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention areillustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size,shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is: l. A corrosion control apparatus with a fluid liftmechanism adapted to be disposed underground, comprising:

a fluid lift mechanism including a cylinder portion; a pre-moldedhousing closely conforming to and having therein at least the cylinderportion of the fluid lift mechanism, with a recess surrounding thecylinder portion which is narrow enough to prevent substantial lateralshifting of the cylinder in the housing; said housing having a bottomwallbelowthe cylinder portion upon which the cylinder portion rests anda side wall integral with said bottom wall surrounding the cylinderportion and extending upwardly from said bottom wall to an open upperend substantially at the top of the cylinder portion, and said side wallhaving its lower end terminating at said bottom wall so as to becoterminous therewith;

said housing being formed of an electrical nonconducting material toinsulate the cylinder portion of a fluid lift mechanism from corrosioneffecting electrical currents wherein said housing electricallyinsulates the cylinder portion to control corrosion of the liftmechanism; and

corrosion inhibiting fluid in said recess isolating said housing ismolded of a plastic resin.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plastic resinincludes a rigid polyester resin.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plastic resin isreinforced with fiberglass to strengthen the housing.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 2 including:

seal means for effecting a seal between said lift mechanism and an upperportionof said side wall for blocking passage of moisture into saidhousing and thus forming a closed chamber for confining said liftmechanism therein wherein said underground portion of said liftmechanism is isolated from the underground corrosion producingconditions.

supported; a concrete floor surrounding the upper end of the cylinderportion extending above said housing; and a moisture-proof seal in theupper end of said housing and covered by said concrete floor for sealingoff the upper end of said housing.

1. A corrosion control apparatus with a fluid lift mechanism adapted tobe disposed underground, comprising: a fluid lift mechanism including acylinder portion; a pre-molded housing clOsely conforming to and havingtherein at least the cylinder portion of the fluid lift mechanism, witha recess surrounding the cylinder portion which is narrow enough toprevent substantial lateral shifting of the cylinder in the housing;said housing having a bottom wall below the cylinder portion upon whichthe cylinder portion rests and a side wall integral with said bottomwall surrounding the cylinder portion and extending upwardly from saidbottom wall to an open upper end substantially at the top of thecylinder portion, and said side wall having its lower end terminating atsaid bottom wall so as to be coterminous therewith; said housing beingformed of an electrical non-conducting material to insulate the cylinderportion of a fluid lift mechanism from corrosion effecting electricalcurrents wherein said housing electrically insulates the cylinderportion to control corrosion of the lift mechanism; and corrosioninhibiting fluid in said recess isolating said cylinder from moisture tothereby assure the absence of galvanic action with the cylinder portionof the fluid lift mechanism.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1wherein: said housing material is also a moisture proof material toprovide a spaced water barrier about the lift mechanism wherein saidhousing prevents moisture contact with the underground portion of thelift mechanism to control corrosion of the lift mechanism.
 3. Theinvention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said housing is molded of aplastic resin.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidplastic resin includes a rigid polyester resin.
 5. The invention as setforth in claim 3 wherein said plastic resin is reinforced withfiberglass to strengthen the housing.
 6. The invention as set forth inclaim 2 including: seal means for effecting a seal between said liftmechanism and an upper portion of said side wall for blocking passage ofmoisture into said housing and thus forming a closed chamber forconfining said lift mechanism therein wherein said underground portionof said lift mechanism is isolated from the underground corrosionproducing conditions.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 2including: said housing having a preformed portion closely conformingwith an operating fluid line disposed alongside the cylinder portion butalso having a recess therebetween, whereby said housing protects theoperating fluid line from the effects of corrosion.
 8. The apparatus setforth in claim 1, including: a concrete base pad upon which said bottomwall is supported; a concrete floor surrounding the upper end of thecylinder portion extending above said housing; and a moisture-proof sealin the upper end of said housing and covered by said concrete floor forsealing off the upper end of said housing.